UK economy avoids stagnation with 0.2% growth between April and June – as it happened

The UK economy beats forecast with growth by 0.2% between April and June, including surprisingly fast 0.5% growth in June alone

This morning's UK GDP report is stronger than expected:

ONS director of economic statistics Darren Morgan says there was particularly buoyant growth" in the UK's car-making sector in June, and also in the pharma sector:

The economy bounced back from the effects of May's extra bank holiday to record strong growth in June. Manufacturing saw a particularly strong month with both cars and the often-erratic pharmaceutical industry seeing particularly buoyant growth.

Services also had a strong month with publishing and car sales and legal services all doing well, though this was partially offset by falls in health, which was hit by further strike action.